7 weeks post op and my implants have barely dropped and breasts are misshapen. Do I need a revision? (Photo)

Question

Im 2 months out & my implants have barely dropped & I have no lower pole fullness. My breasts were asymmetrical to start with & I knew they would look different but this is ridiculous. I have 400 cc round high projection silicone unders. My left breast is horrible looking, the right one is slightly more tolerable. Is there time for them to still drop, drastically? I wear a bandeau 4 hours out of the day after work & all night. Downward massages too. Any suggestions are welcome. What went wrong?

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

I am sorry you are dissatisfied with your appearance, but even more so with the fact that your surgeon appears to have failed to educate you with the fact that this is not at all unusual, especially with firm skin, taut musculature, and what appear to be youthful tissues!Don't wear your elastic bandeau too tightly, and don't overdo the downward displacement exercises either. Gravity affects 100% of patients, and unless you are in the (small) percentage of patients who develop capsular contracture (CC), your scars will soften and stretch as they mature, your skin and muscles will stretch as well, and your implants will drop to some additional degree over time, giving you a significantly better appearance than you have at present. Hopefully to just the "right" amount!(All of which I hope your surgeon has told you!)Honest, s/he is not just "putting you off" or ignoring your concerns. "Drastically" is not what you want, just gradually, after which you stop the downward exercises, elastic wrap at night, and wear a supportive bra to slow the rate at which gravity and time will STILL move your implants downward. Trust me, you do NOT want a "rock in the sock" appearance by overdoing the downward stuff at this time, or doing it too long--i.e. until you are perfectly in position. You need to have room to travel downwards as your tissues reach their final healing and implants their fully dropped position.So, I would humbly suggest that nothing went "wrong" except your not being informed to be patient with this unfortunately normal, but prolonged healing process. A breast lift is not and was not needed, just time for things to settle normally as they pretty much always do. If one implant appears to be dropping faster than its counterpart, then wearing the elastic bandeau above the high(er) breast and below the low(er) breast "Mexican gun belt" style will help to even things out.Are we ever "wrong" and the implants don't drop enough (or drop too much)? Of course, and that is why we (plastic surgeons) want to see you (out patients) in follow-up frequently to advise you on how and what to do to minimize these occurrences, which are on the order of about 2% in my practice. Call your surgeon for an appointment if you are feeling discouraged. But understand that starting high(er) than ideal leaves you with a much better chance for "IDEAL" once you are completely healed, softened, and settled over 6-12 months. If you looked great right now (perhaps like some of your girlfriends), then you too could be joining them in their surgeon's office in a year or so to ask why their implants are now "too low" and "what went wrong?" A bra, no matter how tight or worn full time is NOT an anti-gravity device! I think your surgeon has done a better job than you have given him/her credit for. Hang in there! Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Christopher V. Pelletiere, MD · Answer

After a breast augmentation, it can take an average of three months or more to fully settle, soften, and achieve your final size/shape.  The smaller and tighter your breast envelpe is to begin with, the longer it will take.  If you are nor massaging your breasts, I recommend massaging them 2-3 times a day with firm pressure.  Be diligent about this and just be patient.  Each patient is different in their timetable.  I would see your surgeon at the three month mark and see what they have to say.  They should be able to tell if you are just slowly progressing or something is holding the implants up ( scar tissue, muscle, etc.).  I hope this helps.

David Shifrin, MD · Answer

Sorry your distressed. It can take a full 3-4 months for submuscular implants to drop. Give it time and hang in there! Best

Thomas A. Mustoe, MD, FACS · Answer

I'm sorry that you are unhappy with your appearance.  Implants can changefor 6 months at least.  It appears from the photos that you had a short nipple to inframmary fold diztance prior to surgery and that still needs to stretch out.  If the appearance doesn't improve to your satisfaction, a minor lift or revision could be cons

Brian Coan, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi there, thanks for sharing your photos. I am sorry you are so frustrated. You should wait until you are fully healed at around six months post op before addressing a revision. Best to you. -Dr. Coan

7 weeks post op and my implants have barely dropped and breasts are misshapen. Do I need a revision? (Photo)

Answers (6)

Answer: Will my implants drop after 2 months?

Answer: Will my implants drop after 2 months?

Answer: 2 Months Post Op

Answer: 2 Months Post Op

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

7 weeks post op and my implants have barely dropped and breasts are misshapen. Do I need a revision? (Photo)

Answers (6)

Answer: Will my implants drop after 2 months?

Answer: Will my implants drop after 2 months?

Answer: 2 Months Post Op

Answer: 2 Months Post Op

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.